Spacebus NEO Platform on track for launch in 2019

This will be integrated into Eutelsat’s Konnect satellite, which will deliver high-speed broadband across Europe.

Responsibility for the design of the XPS was undertaken by Thales Alenia Space’s Propulsion Competence Centre in Harwell, with assembly taking place at Thales Belfast.

The module will be used to move the Konnect satellite from the orbit provided by the launch vehicle to its geostationary orbit — and then to keep it in position in for at least 15 years.

The 1.8m-high x 3.6m-wide module is one of the largest and most advanced pieces of space hardware ever produced in the UK by Thales Alenia Space; when fully fuelled, it weighs up to 1.8 tonnes.

It will now be shipped from Belfast to Thales Alenia Space France (in Cannes) to be integrated with the Konnect satellite.

Ben Olivier, CEO of Thales Alenia Space in the UK, said: “The all-electric propulsion module, designed and built by specialist teams in Harwell and Belfast, represents the strong commitment of Thales Alenia Space to create, sustain and grow world-class innovation, design and advanced space engineering skills in the UK, producing important contributions to future space programmes.”

Yohann Leroy, Eutelsat’s deputy CEO and chief technical officer, said: “Championing innovation in the space industry, we are proud to welcome the delivery of the Spacebus Neo XPS module to our future Konnect satellite, which will reinforce our leadership in the use of electric propulsion for geostationary communication satellites.”